Select Board backs tiered property-tax override to close $3M budget gap.
Select Board · Meeting of January 8, 2026
Rutland Select Board votes 4–1 to pursue a tiered property-tax override to close a $3 million structural budget deficit in FY2027. Town Administrator Heather Butler and former Acting Town Administrator Seth Knipe presented a $32 million budget in which the Wachusett Regional School District will consume 63 percent of spending, up from 60 percent. A $3 million override would raise the tax rate from $13.87 to $15.70, costing approximately $1,000 more annually on a $550,000 home.
Board member Alex Mowatt's three-tiered approach--offering override options of $3 million, $4 million, or $5 million--passed with only Harry Sechman dissenting, allowing voters flexibility on fiscal remedy duration.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 356 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of January 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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